Between the end of Semester 1 and beginning of Semester 2, we revisited our solutions to more closely examine the feasibility of each. We changed our top solution to the detection of heat from ultrasound. We brainstormed multiple solutions: using saline to irrigate the ureter and the use of thermocouples built into the stent. We decided to use an IR camera to detect changes in temperature that will be used to calculate distance between the ureter and the surgical tools.
On Tuesday, we held a meeting with our Sling Health team to revisit our solutions. We further discussed our Heat Identification methods for use in Proximity Detection. They supported our idea of using heat and helped us to develop these ideas more. One of our members is quite familiar with the Peltier cooler and shared her knowledge with us. We don’t plan on implementing this for now but may consider it in future iterations.
On Wednesday, we met with Dr. Klaesner to discuss our new solution. We decided on using a temperature gradient in order to determine the difference from the surgical tool and the ureter. This temperature gradient will be created using cool saline that will be pumped and irrigated within the ureter. The temperature will be measured with thermocouples that will be located within the stent. With the use of an infrared camera, the temperature from the thermocouples can be picked up.
Additionally, we have been reaching out to different labs to try to find an IR camera to borrow. We’re meeting with our client Dr. Barashi on Friday (1/21) to confirm that we can irrigate the ureter safely and explain the reasoning behind wanting to irrigate the ureter.